Lunch box



Allg. 13, 1935. J. DEVlNE I '72,010,812

-LUNcH Box Filed Feb. 4, 1952 3 Sheet`s-Sheet l 35 um www f c 5222426252/ b :2; A

Q /0 y Y /4 4145 '/Q' ze f l Il llll Z 4g y ul l l 47 z/ l /f Y MAM l [7 44 f- Y jaa/.2mn- K xfa/7365 .en/ze J. i-l. DEVINE I 2,010,812

Aug. 13, 1935.

LUNCH BOX Filed Feb. 4, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 UNITED STATES rATENTJ OFFICIT l sembled. .i other objects and lunchbox;

y Patented Aug.v 13, 1935 aologsia Y LUNCH nox ration of Missouri Appucauon'rebruary 4, 1.93.2,y seriaiivo. 590,977 s'olaims` (ci. sgo;.1'7)

invention relates to,` containersV for comestlblesand more particularly toclunch boxes that are thermally insulated in such manner as toV minfcoinestibles in either a hot. or cold condi- Briefly, the-type of device to which this invention pertains, comprises- `an outer casing an inner easingthermallyI insulated fromthe outer easing, and 'a pluralityI otlfood containers which are held in spaced relation toA the inner casing and thermally insulated tl'iereirom.4

Broadly` stated, the chief 'object of: the present invcntionwis to provides device ofV the character deacr-i'bcdhaving high thermal efficiency' so that the! conduction ci heat from the plurality of food eontainers will be reduced' to a:minimoum` l More specifically, itiis one ci' the objects of the presentinvention to provide, means for rigidly supporting and positioning the inner casing; centrally ofthe outer casing and thennally insulating lt:t herefrom. l l l It is another object of 'the invention to provide insulated point Contact means for holding the, food` containers tu spaced relation to the innerA easing so that; the point'of contact therebetween will he reduced to a thus greatly ref: conduction between the containers and the inner casing. t Y

A further.` obiiectof the invention is `to provide atdevice. oi the, character'deseribed ofrimproved` construntion which `will be capablev of withstandngthe' abuses to which it. is necessarily subjected to, in use and which. may readilybe produced at relatively small cost..n c i Y, l A still furtherobieetof the invention is, the pro vision of a device of the character described that is highly Sanitary and one. in which the removable parts thereoi can be readily assembled or disas,

advantages of the invention appear from the iollowingldetailed descrip tion-:when taken; in connection with the accommnyns drawingsi inwhich: Y lligure 1 is a vertical Sectional view through a.. lunch boxeenstrueted in accordance with my invention?. l "i y Figure. 2A is a vertical sectional viewv through` @slightly modified form of lunchbox embodying the principles of. the mesentr invention;

illgjure 3 is ay vertical" Seetional `view through the upper portion of another modified form of `lunchbox; l 1 l y I mure 4, isa vertical` sectional view through a third modified form oi the.. aber portion of Figure 15 Figure 5 `is a' vertical `sectional View through thebupper .portion of' a fourth; modified form oi lunchbox; l l y A.

Figure fis-Vis a Vertical sectional View through the upper portion of a fth modied form of lunch box;` c ,l c p l, l,

Figure 7 is a` fragmentarysectional view of; a modified' form of insulated point contact means between the. food 'containers and the inner case ing; o I l I y i Figure 8; is a view'similartoFigure rI` of another modied'form of insulated Contact means between the food containers and theinnercasing;

Figure 9 is a, iragmentarysec-tional View' of one of the 'food containers provided with a `cov--A eringpofv heat insulating material;

Figure ,1 0 is a sectional View taken substantial- 15'* along the line Ill-Ill of Figure 9; n,

, Figure l1 is a fragmentarysectional View of` another means of insulating the food containers;` `Figure 12 is aview similar to Fig. l1 of a 'modied manner of attaching the insulating means to theyfood containers; y v j `Figure, 13` is an isometric sectionalgview of the insulating `means shown i in Figures il and 12;*`

Figure 14 is a vertical sectional View of a modi-4 iied form of insulation blocklshown in Figure'l; and

View ofa modified formoi the means for con,-` necting the liner to thel outer casing and.- the means for insulating the top of thegliner from the top of the'outer casing. A Y

` In constructing a lunch box, I provide an outer casing t of generally cylindrical shape, although it may be constructed in any desired form with-l out departing from the. spirit of the present in` vention. This casing may be forined'off any suitable material, though I preferablyV use sheet aluminum- If desirable, this casing may have its outer surface given a suitable iinish to simulate wood', in a known manner,` or the casingmay have its outer surface covered with leather or other Suitable material, so-as topresenti-'an attractive appearance. 4 Within the casing l, I dispose a casing 2 in the form of Va sheet metal linen This casing or liner is provided with a flange 3, `for a Vpurpose which willhereinafter appear. This ange may be suit-` ably pressedfrom thewall of the liner, or formed in any other suitable or preferred manner, .The

`upper marginal edge of the liner is bent inwardly and then downwardly .to form a flange ilA behind which Vis `disposed a metal strip 5. "Ihisjstriplisf soldered or Secured to the'flange Il in any suitable is afragmentarywvertical sectional or preferred manner and serves to strengthen the external threads I formed on that portion of the liner 2 between the flanges 3 and 4. The screw threads 'I engage internal threads formed on a closure member 8, which closes the upper end of the liner 2. This closure member is preferably formed of sheet metal and is provided with a depression 9 forming a portion II, which may readilybelgrasped by the hand to facilitate unscrewing the closure member from theliner 2. A gasket IG is preferably disposed between the flange 3 and closure member 8 to assure a steam tight a cover 28 to which is suitably secured a handle fit of said member with said liner.

The liner 2 is disposed in the casing I, centrally thereof, and firmly secured in place by means of a collar I2. This collar is preferably constructed of pressed paper, although any other suitable material of like nature may be employed, and is composed of three concentric ringsor sections a, b, and c, which are glued or otherwiseA secured together in any suitable or preferred manner. The ring c is disposed in abutting relation to the inner surface of the outer casing and the ring b is secured to the inner surface of the ring c with its upper surface flush with the upper surface of said ring. The ring b extends downwardly into the casing an appreciable distance and the ring a is secured thereto, with its lower surface extending a slight distance below the lower surface of the ring b. The collar I2 has a tight fit with the inner surface of the wall of outer casing I and is prevented from moving upwardly therein by reason of section c of said collar abutting the under surface of a bead I3 which is pressed inwardly from the wallof casing I. The ange 3 of the liner 2 abuts the under surface of sections a of the collar and the liner is rigidly secured to said collar by means of pins I4 which pass through the flange 3 into section a of the collar.

The space between the side wall of casing I and liner 2 is filled, preferably, with granulated cork I5 while the space between the bottom wall of casing I and liner 2 is preferably filled by a cork disc IB, or any other suitable heat insulating material. y l e y l A closuremember, designated generally by the reference character I8, is associatedl with the collar `12 and serves to thermally insulate the top of liner 2 from the top of outer casing I. This closure member seats upon the upper surface of section a of said collar and has a snug t with the side walls of section b thereof. Preferably, a gasket I9vis interposed between section a of collar l?. and `member I8 to assure a steam-tight t. The closure member comprises a body 2l of cork, or other material which is effective asa heat insulator, the bottom and sides of which have a covering of paper 22. The upper surface of the closure member also has a layer of paper 23 upon which is disposed av substantially rectangular plate 24. A handle 25, in the form of a bail, is pivotally secured to said plate at 26, to facilitate removing closure member I8 from the casing. A second covering of paper 2T is secured to the paper covering 23 androverlaps plate 2li a sufficient distance to secure said plateto the closure member. The coverings 22 and 23 arerelatively thick, as is the covering 2l, and may be secured to the body 2I of the closure member by anv adhesive or in any other suitable or preferred manner.

From thejforegoing, it will readily be apparent that. the liner 2 is thustherm'ally insulated froml the outer casing I so .as to prevent loss of heat from the liner to the casing by conduction.

, in anysuitable or preferred manner.

In assembling the lunch box, the liner 2 is rst preferably secured to the collar I2, in the manner hereinbefore described, and the collar and liner are then slipped upwardly into the casing I through the bottom thereof until section c of said collar abuts the bead I3 of the casing. The space defined by the side wall of the liner and casing is then filled with granulated cork, afterv which the cork discI is put into place. The bottom I'i of casing I is then secured to said casing by soldering, or in any other suitable or preferred manner.

The open end of outer casing I is closed by 2S. Cover 28 is provided with bosses 30, having depending tongues 3|, secured to said cover in any suitable or preferred manner. The tongues 3l engage in recesses 32 formed in fastening de- -vices 33, which are secured to the outer casing I The fasteners 33 are of known type, being ordinary trunk fasteners having a bail 33 pivotally secured thereto for engaging over the bosses 30 and exerting downward pressure thereon when said bossesare in operative position. Any other suitable or preferred fastening means may, however, be `employed. Bosses 32 and fastening devices 33 serve to secure the cover on the outer casing and also to assure tight closure of said cover by downward pressure. The cover 28 is of sunicient height to enclose a tray 35, which fits within the` outer casing and seats upon the uppersurfaceof sections b and c of collar I2 and upon the closure member I3. This tray, which is shallow, is .preferably constructed of sheet aluminum, and is adapted to contain bread, pies, cakes, or similar food stuffs. The downward pressure ofthe cover on the tray 35 also serves to keep the closure member I8 nrmly pressed against the gasket I9 to assure a steam tight f'lt. Disposed withinI the liner 2^are two'gaskets or rings 36 and 3l, the ring 36 lying uponthe bottom wall of said liner and the ring 3l being superposed upon the ring 3G. Both of the rings have a snug fit with the side wall of liner 2 yand are preferably formed of rubberv or f other suitable heat insulating material. A ringV or plate 38, preferably formed of sheet metal, is disposed upon the ring 35. This plate 38 is provided with lugs 33, which may be suitably punched therefrom, or formed in `any other suitable manner. These lugs'form feet erlegs which seat upon the ring 36 thereby supporting the body portion of said plate out of contact'withthe bottom wall of liner 2. It will be noted that the ring 3l has a larger internal diameterthan the ring 3S and that the legs 3S of plate 33 contact the inner wall of the ring 3l. As the ring 3l has a snug fit with the wall of -liner 2 the plate 38 is, therefore, prevented froin moving sidewise into engagement with the side wall of liner 2'. From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the rings 36 and 3l completely insulate the plate "32 from thev liner 2. Also, as the plate 38 vis'adap'ted to support a plurality of containers or tanks '43, 6I and 42 disposed one upon the other, respectively, in a manner which will hereinafter more fully appear, these tanks will also be completely insulated from the wall of the liner 2 Yin such manner as to prevent conduction between the tanks andv the liner. The tanks 43, fl I, and 132', may be constructed of any suitable material, depending largely upon the characteristics of the substance to be placed in the tanks. Under'ordina'r'y conditions these tanks may be constructed of sheet aluminum. Each of the tanks is provided with an exterorly W* Theliner Zwis. provided with a channel 5E pressed` threaded neck 431 adapted to receive an interiorly threaded closurelmember M; which is adapted to have asteam tight iit'withi-the Agasg kot" K9 is alsofpreferably employed to further @is assure' a steamrughn mi between the @105cm manner; this strap iormingra `handle to facilitate @removal of the tank from the liner. The tanks it and 42 are each providedwitha de`V pending flange neck ll'wsecured to the bottom wallot the# tank as` by soldering-or in any other suitable. manner; This. flange is'adapted to have a friction llit with the' neck of lthe closure mem--4 ber ofiI the tank upon whicnitfis mounted. That is, thefiange of the tank 4Z hasa friction fit with theneck of the closure `member of tank M, upon 2W Whichit: is mounted, andthe liange of tank 4l has a iricticnt: with the neck of the closure mem-benoit tankl, upon which it is mounted'.

Thalower tank 49 is not.` provided with `this flange butseats directlyupon the ring or plate 3a and prevented from. moving thereon by means of lugs 48:, suitably formed on the plate 385. While I have shown. three tanks for containing the articles. oft food, obviouslmthe number or tanks can bemvariecl aszdesi'red., i Themedied form of they devicesillustrated in Figure 2 is similarto that. illustrated in Figure ixilthat'fit: comprises aY liner 2a: disposed within an` outereasing to, substantially centrallyv thereon and thermallyv insulated from `said casing.

outwardly. from the wall thereof for a4 purpose which Will`hereinafter appear. ableinsulating'lmaterial 5l? is` preferably disposed inpthechannel Sli.` The upper marginal edge of the liner 21er is bent.` outwardlyV and then bent.`

back upon itselfto form a, ange 52..' The-por-T tion of the liner 2a between the channel 5u and flange S2; forms a neck 53' is interioriy threaded to engage external .threadsformed upon aclosure member 8m. which closes: the. upper end oi thefliner 2a; `A ring .of suitable heat insulate material'5tr is: disposed around the outside` of neck 53 of line-r ha and between the flanges: Wand 5.2 thereofj..` ring 5.1 also contacts the innerwall-` ofsection de oi collar 12a. :and serves to prevent. side motion of lthe liner 2a. It:

will. be noted that. closure member: 8a, as well as` all4 Q- the closure members hereinafter referred. `toare adapted to screwinto their respective receptacles. I preferably employ such @construction as the receptacles expand when heated. and; it, is, then didicult to employ-aclosure member whichssrews over `the receptacle. `'l'lie-ezlosure memberc is provided with. an outwardly ex Olii7 tending flange 54., between which and the flange clamped agasket 55 for assuring a.v steamtight. ftfbetweei;1I the` closure member and the liner; `The upper surface oiportion. lla.. of the closure. member is provided with` a. cover of heat.

Bilt insulating material 56 which. may be secured thereto, in any. suitable.' manner. A plurality of lugs'or teats. 5l are pressedv in the portion Ito, of .member 8o and extending downwardly from.

theunder surface thereoif. for a purpose whi'ch 7W will. hereinafter appear.` kAcovering of heat insulating material 58' is secured;` to each of the teats in any suitable or pref-erred manner. n

Theliner 2a secured in the casing la by" means of a collar im. Thiscollaris of substan- 'Ili tially the sameconstructiorr asA the collar I2 il@ sure lmem-ber.

lustrated in Figure I,i exceptlthat it. composed `of four. sections d, e, f, and o, suitably secured' together".` Sections e, Ji, andg of collar l'aaare secured together' in the same manner assections' a; b, and c of collarviZ" (Figure l). Sectional of the coliaris secured to section e thereof andfwithl its upper-surface flush with the upper surface 'of said section. This section, it willfbe noted, extends downwardly into the `outer casing a short'l distance below section e of the collar. 'I'helcol-v lar has-at` tight t withthe inner surface of the wall of outercasi'ng la and is prevented from moving upwardly therein by means of a channel 58, which is. pressed inwardly from the'wallioi casingv la: and which extends over the upper sufreI face of section gf of` said collar. The channel 5b of liner Pla' abuts the under surface of fsectionf' d of the collar,4 this-liner being held against. said collar by' the cork disk Ilia and the bottom Wall mr of outer casing la. l t

The liner 2a` is thermally insulated from outer casing lia by the granulated cork 'I'ag corkv disci lia, collar I2a and' closure memberv llia'als.y in the device ofV Figure I. `v It isi to be understood that any other suitable heat insulating material other" than they granulated cork orthecork disc may? be used if desired. rIhe outer casing and' the? liner are assembled in :substantially the same manner as has been described connection with the device of Figure 1.

The closure member [8a for thermallyf insu# lati-ng the top of the liner from the topflof the; outer casing is of substantially` the same construction as the closure member f8 illustrated" Figure I. However, instead ci the plate' 2'4'. oflFigure l, I' provide ai metal disc till whichis disposed upon and coversfsubstantiallythef. en# tire areaY of the upper surface of pressedvpaper disc-13o, which isSecuredto the body'ofl cork No of the closure member. `A ring El cipressed' paper or* other suitable materiali engages overl the upper surfaceof this disc adjacent thep'e' riphery thereof forsecuringthe disc to the cio-f This ring Lis suitably securedtothe' inner surface of the paper covering""Eid,4 which in thiscase extends abovethel body oicorka Na4 and t,terminates` usli' withl the ring llysurrounding the 'sid'e Wall of the' cork. `The diskfilt adjacent its axis isl provided with araised'portion.

forming ilanges 6-25 these anges engaging over' the, ends- 83 of* a handle 64 for securing "sa-id? hand'leto the closurememberf i The tanks-49`a, dilafand'llfza are ontheA same generalshapeas the-tanks illustrated in Figure i' but are" provided with"anyinteriorly threaded` neck 430, having an outwardly extending flange 65 formed thereon asv by bending the outer edge of the neckvoutWardl-y and then back uporiitself. A closure member 44a `having' external! threads for cooperating'wi-th the internal' threads of" the neck 43a serves to close the tanks: gasketliiA is preferably' clamped between the flange :65 and. a ange 61, formed onthe outer edges of the closure member 44o; to assurea steam-tight" joint. The closure member is provided'with aA raised portion 88 forming a 4handle' for facifli-` tati'ng removal of the member from the tank orfor placing it therein.A Sncethere is not suicient' clearance betweenl thetanks and the liner forA grasping the exterior circumference of the closure members the raised portion "iifthusl furnishesv an-advantageous means for removing thetan-ks from or placing them ini the liner.` This.

is likewise true of the raised 'portions H and .'Hf. of closure members 8l and 8u; respectively.

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raised portion is preferably provided with a suit-l able covering of heat insulating material 69 to protect the hand from the heat of the container when the closure member is removed. 'This raised portion of the closure member-is also adapted to contact the teats 51 should the tanks become disarranged. These teats in such case Would provide insulated point Contact means between the closure member 8a and the closure member Mal, thereby reducing conduction of heat between said members to a minimum. The teats 5,1, however',A under normal conditions do not have any contact with the closure member 44a. The tanks are disposed one on topof the s. other and seat upon the ange 61 of the preceding tank. That is, the bottom wall of tank la seats upon the ange 61 of tank lla. and the bottom wall of tank 42a. seats upon the ange S1 of tank Ma. Each of the tanks are provided with z a depending iiange lil, said ange in the case of the tanks Ma and 42a extending downwardly into a depression 44 in the closure member lilla and contacting the side wall thereof. This prevents the tanks from sliding oif of each other.

.z Teats 1| serve to support the tanks in the liner 2a. These teats are pressed upwardly from` the bottom wall of liner 2a and are provided with suitable heat insulating material 12, secured to said teats in any suitable or preferred manner.

"I Flange 18 of tank 48a contacts the insulating material 12 on teats 1I and serves to prevent the tank from sliding olf of said teats. The teats thus serve to hold the tank 50a in spaced relation to the bottom and side wall of liner 2a and to form in effect insulated point contact means between said liner and the tanks thereby reducing conduction of heat to a minimum. n

In the modified form of the device illustrated inFigure 3, I provide an outer casing lb within which is disposed, substantially centrally thereof, a liner 2b, this liner being thermally insulated from the casing by a surrounding layer of granulated cork |517. A collar |211, of substantially` Z-shape, is disposed within the casing and.r has atight fit with the walls thereof. This collar is' composed of a plurality of rings or sections, designated by the letters h to p, inclusive, formed of pressed paper or other suitable heat insulating material, these sections being glued or other- 1 Wise secured together in any suitable or preferred manner. Section Z is of greater height than sections h to lc and sections m to p, inclusive. Sections h-to k, inclusive, are secured to the outer surface of sectionl l, adjacent the lower edge thereof, and the lower surface of these sections terminate substantially flush with the lower surface of section Z. Sections m vto p, inclusive, are secured to the inner surface of section Z and the upper surface of these sections terminate flush with the upper surface of section Z. Sec-r lb. This ring is disposed within the collar |211 in abutting relation with the inner surface of section p thereof, with which `it has a relatively snug t. Adjacent its upper and lower edges the ring is provided with outwardly extending flanges 1 5 and `11, respectively, the flange 11 extending under and abutting the under surface of section p ofsaid collar. Suitable brads or screws 18 extend through the flange 11 into section p of the collar and serve to rigidly secure said ring to said collar. It will be noted that the ring 15v securely position said linerwithin said casing.Y

t may be well to point out here that .the liner 2b is provided with anoutwardly extending flange 19 which, when the liner is in position within the casing, seatsupon the flange 16 of the ring 15. The outer ,end of the flange 19 is bent downwardly over the outer periphery of ange 16 and then bent back upon itself so that the outer periphery of such bent back portion contacts the under surface ofthe flange 16. Such a construction prevents movement of the external threads of the liner inwardly away from the interior threads formed on the ring 15,`as well as to pre'- vent the liner from being turned out of the ring 15 when the closure member therefor is removed. This construction also keeps the gasket 81 seourely in place when the hereinafter described closure member |81) is removed. The construction of the closure member 8b is substantially the same as the construction of the closure member 8a, illustrated in Figure 2, and need not therefore be further described here.

The closure member |8b for thermally insulating the top of the liner from the top of the casing is similar in construction to the closure member |8a, illustrated in Figure 2, in that it also comprises a body 2 Ib, of cork or other suitable heat insulating material, having a covering of pressed paper discs 23h and 22h suitably secured to the upper and lower surfaces thereof, respectively. However, as the liner 2b in the instant case ex-l tends above the upper surface of the collar |2b, the side walls of the cork body 2lb have been provided with a pressed paper ring 8D, secured thereto in any suitable or preferred manner. This ring extends an appreciable distance below thesurface of the body of cork 2 lb and is adapted to seat upon section h of collar |217 for spacing the closure member |81) out of contact with the closure member 8b. Also, a plurality of concentric rings, designated as 8| to 85, inclusive, are suitably secured to the under surface of the paper disc 22h and to the inner surface of the ring 88. The rings 84 and 85 are of less height than the rings 8!! to 83, inclusive, and are adapted to seat upon sections l and m of collar |2b, while the rings 8|, 82l and 88 are adapted to seat upon sections i, j, and lc of said collar. A gasket 8S is preferably disposed between rings 80 to 83, inclusive, and sections h to lc, inclusive, of the collar |212, Ianda gasket 81 is disposed between rings 84, 85 and sections Z, m of said collar to assure a steam tight fit of said closuremember with said collar. The ring 8|) it will be noted also extends a short distance above the upper surface of the paper disc 23h. Concentric rings 88 and 89, secured together and to the inner surface of ring 8l), engage over the upper surface of a metal disc b for securing the disc to the closure member. This disc is of substantially the same construction and for the saine purpose asf f, Figure 3, that the ring Stic has only one ring 3io secured thereto, instead of the plurality of rings 8U to 85 as in the device of Figure 3. Also, two concentric rings and l2, of pressed paper orother suitable heat insulating material, are secured to the outer surface of the ring 80e adjacent the upper end thereof. A suitable gasket l i3 is interposed between the outwardly extend ing portion 94 of the ring lc and sections 30C-tic of the collar |20. Also, a gasket I M, extending into the space 92 between section o and f section s of the collar |20, is interposed'between sections t-u, of the collar, and the rings l l2, of the closure member |80. These gasketsjvassure a steam tight fit between the closure member |8cand the collar |20. The gasket ||l has arelatively tight nt in the space 92 and is thus prevented from being disarranged when the closure member is removed. Attention is also here directed to the fact that ,the design of the closure member is such that the ow of heat upwardly in the box is bya broken path and that such flow of heat is obstructed by two soft rubber gaskets. I find that such a construction greatly increases the efficiency of my lunch box and greatly reduces the amount of heat which is gradually lost yby radiation.

The closure member |8c is also provided with a cup-shaped metal plate M5, preferably of aluminum, this plate being provided with a plurality of flngerholes H6 to facilitate the removal of the .closure member. The plate is provided with an outwardly extending flange Il formed on the outer edge thereof. An annular ring ||8, suitably secured to the ring 80e, seats upon this flange andserves to secure the plate to the closure member. In'the modified form of deviceshown in Figure 5, I have employed the ring l5, shown in Figure 3,` in conjunction with thecollar |2c of the device of Figure 4. The collar, designated as |2d in the instant device is of substantially the same construction as the collar |20. However, as the ring l5 does not have the outwardly extending portion `SM5, as does the ring '|50 of the device of Figure Ll, I have provided the collar |2d with a plurality of concentric rings w, 1c, y, and z, so that the ring 'ld of the instant device, may be connected thereto. These rings w, x, Ay, and z, may be secured to the inner surface of section u of said collar by. any suitable means; The ring 15d is i secured to the collar |211 by means of brads 18d which extend through the flange 11d into section e of the collar. The liner 2d is connected to the ring 15d in the same manner asv has been described in connection with the device of Figure 3. 4Instead of providing the closure member Md, of the instant device, with the metal plate H18, shown in Figure 4, I have disposed a gasket or ring |tof suitable heat insulating material upon said closure member. Thisv gasket seats upon the upper surface of the closure member, between the neck 43d and the raised portion ||l||cll thereof, and directly below teats |28, which are* pressed downwardly from the depressed elements 39d Yof the, closure member 3d. The gasketand teats are normally out of contact with each other a'oioinz but serve to provide insulated point contact means between closure member 8d and closure member Md should the tanks become disarranged in the liner 2d.

The construction of the closure member |8d is substantially the same as the construction of the closure member |8c and will not, therefore, be further described here.

In Figure 6, the collar |2e has been provided with two concentric rings w and suitably secured to the inner surface of the ring VU2 of said collar, and the ring '|5e has been provided with an outwardly extending portion Sile. The ring 15e is connected to the collar |2e and the liner 2e in the manner hereinbefore described.

It will be noted that in theclosure member |8e the pressed paper discs 23 and 2|, of Figure 1, have been eliminated and that a metal plate I2| seats directlyupon the body-of cork 2|e. This plate is provided with a handle |22, pressed upwardly from said plate in any suitable or preferred manner, and is secured to the cork disc Ele by a ring 6 le, similar to the ring 6| shown in Figure 2. This ring seats upon the outer edge of the plate and is suitably secured to the ring 89e by any suitable means. The various sections of the collar |2e have been lengthened so as to dispose the upper surface of the handle |22 below the top of the outer casing |e.` The space |23 be tween the plate I2| and the tray 35e, which seats upon the collar |2e and the handle |22, may be utilized for knives and forks or articles of simi# lar nature.

The closure member 8e for closing the top of the inner liner is of two-part construction. This closure member comprises a threaded collar |24 having an outwardly extending flange |25. A plate |26, of the same general contour as the closure member 8d of Figure 5, seats upon the flange |25. This plate is secured to the collar |24 by bending the outer edge of the plate downwardly at right angles and then back upon itself.` The outer edgev of the ange |25 is also bent downwardly at right angles and ts into the bent back portion of the plate. |26. The outer edge of the flange and the plate may be'secured together as by spot welding or in any other suitable or preferred manner. This downwardly extending portion of the flange and plate also serve as a means to prevent gasket creeping.

Figure 7 illustrates a modified manner of pro-' viding insulated point contact means between the food tanks and the liner. In this form,'I provide the liner 2h with depressions |2`| which may be pressed from the bottom wall thereof, or formed in any other suitable or preferred manner. A ring orplate 38a disposed in the liner 2h supports the food tanks in the manner illustrated in Figure l, the lower one of these tanks, illustrated in Figure 4, being designated by the reference character lb. The plate is similar tothe plate 38 except that it is provided with teats |28 instead of lugs 39. These teats are pressed or otherwise suitably formed on the ring 38a, and extend downwardly from the under surface thereof. Suitable heat insulating material |29 is secured to the teats in any suitable or preferred manner. This insulating material is adapted to seat, in the depressions |21 in liner 2h, when the plate 38m is in place in said liner. The teats and insulating material serve to support the plateY 38a., and consequently the food tanks, out of' contact with the bottom wall of the liner. Also, as the insulation contacts the walls of the depressions in which they seat, they thus prevent sidewise movement of `saidpla'te. The plate and tanksarethusalso heid outrofcontact withvthe sidewall of the liner. It will be noted that the areaiof contact of the insulation with theydepression 121 isrelatively small `and provides; in 'effect insulated*` point *con- `tact between the "tanks and the` liner. i

i vFigureiBf'shcws the ymanneroof insulating the food :containers 42o,` etc., illustrated in r Figures 4 and 5, from the inner liner.

instance 7have been lprovided `withj'fa depression A101.;V the ring for plate 3'8bhas been provided with i a plurality of downwardly `turned,flanges 48h, in-

stead of the upturned nangesA 48, asshown in Fig- `ure` 1. f'Ih'e plate is also provided with a plurality `ofwteats |281), theseteats seating in abore i130 in a; block `of suitable i heat insulating material 113|. These 'blocks rare `adaptedto fabut an Aupwardly l projectinglportion "|32 pressed upwardlyfromthe bottom wall 'of therliner, 2g." `Thedownwardly turned lugs 48h abutting the inner ,surface vcf. the

depression |01 `of the tankfprevent `the tank` from moving ofi of the plate 38h, `and theinsulating blocks 1| 3| abutting the upressed-up `portion |32 of i the inner liner preventimovementlofthe plate tothe bore lextends entirely therethrough. i

In Figures 9 4and, '16,1 have illustrated `a rcover |33 applied to the ifood tanks, `|34- wl1ereby said tanksv `may .fbef` yhandled, conveniently when hot. This rcover may-be formedofi any-suitable heat insulating material ,andis inthe form cfg-a cylinder, Iopen yati-both ends, intowhich the'tank `may be slipped. The cover `has -a..tig ht11twith the walflrof the tank 2and is provided with a series'of corrugations |35 which cooperate with a series of corrugations |36 formed on the tank. These corrugations are formed vertically on the side wall of the cover and tank and may extend completely around said cover or tank or over only a certain specic area, whichever is preferable. These corrugations serve to prevent the cover from slipping off of the tank, as Well as to prevent the tank from turning in said cover when the closure member of the tank is being removed or replaced. The cover is also provided with an vinturned flange |31, formed on the lower edge thereof. The tank with which this cover is used isV provided with two depressed portions forming shoulders |36 and |39. The flange |31 of the cover fits snugly against the shoulderv |38 and also serves to retain the cover on the tank. The

. shoulder |39 is adaptedto seat upon the flange of the closure member of the preceding tank, as for example, the flange 61 of the closure member of tank 40a, shown in Figure 2.

Figures 1l and 13 illustrate another method of insulating the food tanks. In this case, theinsulation comprises a ring |40, preferably formed of sheet metal, and provided with a plurality of openings or slots |4|. Such a ring forms, in effect, a foraminous element that quickly dissipates the heat from the food tanks. The ring encircles the side Wall of the tank |42 and is of sufficient height to extend for a short distance below the bottom wall of the tank, so that the tank may be set, for example, upon a table without the hot bottom Wall of said tank coming into contact ,with the table and injuring it. The

tank |42 is provided with a channel |43Hpressed outwardly from the side Wall thereof, this channel completely encircling the tank. A boss |44,

Asthe tanks inthis secured to the channel 'in any suitable for prleferred manner, is adapted ftoengage a |1jslct |45 formed in the ring |40 for securing the ring to the tank in a manner well -kncwn'in the art. .The channel |43` serves to space the ring |40 from the tank and `a rearwardly Aextending,allan-ge fljddrformed on the ring |443, abuts the sidewall Y ofl vthe tank and serves to prevent particles of food from becoming lodged in the Avspace between the ring and the tank.

In Figure l2 I have shown a modified manner of securing thering |40 to the `tank:|-42. In this for-m, a plurality 4of=bosses |41, preferably three in number, are pressed `outwardly from :the wallof the tank |132.A A smaller boss -M8gis also pressed `outwardly from Athe bosses |41 .andthese bosses `(i113) Yengage in the T slot in theringj P|450 to secure the ring to the `rtank. `I find that this form of the device is less expensive, `as the bosses may be pressed into the-wall of .the-tank inria Single operation., i i. l In Figureld I have showny acollar |2gi-a`nd closure member |8g preferably formed Iof phenolic plastic material. This material is-,fairly lightl in weighthas good insulatingqua'lities and isphighly sanitary. Moreover, the `material is easily molded into any fcrmand minutethread-k ing thereof is possible.

The collar |297l comprises two horizontal supporting surfaces |50 and |5| having a frustoconical section |52 therebetween. The supporting surface |50 is also provided with anupwardly n extending flange |53.

i The inner liner (not shown)y is secured to the collar Vby means of a metallic ring g. This ring is similar in shape to the ring 15e and is proa vided with an outwardly extending flange Ng. The ring is disposed in abutting relation with :the collar 2g, as shown, and suitable brads or screws 18g, extending through the ilange 11g into the supporting section |5| of the collar, serve to secure the ring thereto. Y

The closure member |8g comprises a cupshaped member |54 having an outwardly extending ange'l55, formed adjacent the upper end thereof,` and a downwardly depending flange |56. A disc 2|g, of cork or other suitable heat insulating material, seats within the member |54 and has a snug fit therewith. A disc I2 lg, also formed v6 Ig, `also formed of phenolic plastic material, has

threaded engagement with the member |54 and seats upon the disc |2|g. This ring serves to secure the disc to the closure member.

'Ihe outer surface of the side Wall of the closure member Itg, below the flange |55, is also of frusto-conical shape and is adapted to have a. tight flt with the inner surface of the frustoconical portion |52 of collar |2g. It will be noted that when the closure member is in place the flange |55 thereof seats upon a gasket |51, disposed between said flange and the supporting surface |50 of the collar, and the flange |56 of the closure member seats upon a gasket |58, which is disposed between said flange and the supporting surfaceV |5| of the collar. These gaskets serve to assure a steam tight t of the closure member |8g with the collar |2g. An annular ring |59, also formed of phenolic plastic material has threaded engagement with the inner side of the flange |53 and seats upon the gasket I8'g is removed.

As will` be understood by those skilled in the art, While I have shown several preferred embodiments of my invention, I do not wish to be limited thereto, since changes may be made therein withoutv departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. VIn combination, in a device of the character described, an outer casing, a liner having side and bottom Walls secured Within the casing and thermally insulated therefrom, a plurality of tanks disposed in said liner, means disposed in said liner vand out of contact with the side walls thereof for supporting and restraining lateral movement of said tanks within said liner, means entirely insulating said last named means and said tanks from the bottomwall of said liner, and means formed on the bottom Wall of said liner and cooperating with said insulating means for restraining lateral movement of said supporting means with respect to said liner. v,

2. In combination, in a device of the character described, an outer casing, a liner having side and I bottom Walls secured within the casing and thermally insulated therefrom, a plurality of tanks disposed in said liner, means comprising a plate 7 supporting said tanks within the liner, said plate being disposed in said liner and out of contact Withthe side walls thereof, means on said plate for retaining said tanks thereon, means entirely insulating said plate and said tanks from the bottom wall of said. liner, and means formed on the bottom wall of said liner and cooperating with said insulating means for v restraining lateral movement of said plate with respect to said liner.

3. Incombination, in a device of the character described, an outer casing, a liner having a plurality of depressions formed in the bottom Wall thereof disposed within-the casing and thermally insulated therefrom, a plurality of tanks disposed Within the liner, and means for supporting said tanks, said means seating in the depressions in said liner and having insulated point contact therewith.

4. In combination, in a device of the character described, an outer casing, a liner having a plurality of depressions formed in the bottom Wall thereof disposed Within the casing and thermally insulated therefrom, a plurality of tanks disposed Within the liner, and means seating in the depres- .tions'in said liner and having insulated point contact therewith for supporting said tanks, said means comprising a plate having a plurality of teats formed thereon and a covering of insulation for said teats. y

5. In combination, in a device of the character described, an outer casing, a liner having side and bottom Walls secured Within the casing and ther-y mally insulated therefrom, a plurality of tanks disposed one on top of the other Within said liner, certain of said tanks having a depending ange adapted to have a friction fit with the top of the tank upon which it is mounted, means disposed in said liner and out of contact with the side Walls thereof for supporting and restraining lateral movement of said tanks Within the liner, means for securing insulated point contact between said last named means and the bottom Wall of said liner. and means formed on the bottom wall of' said liner and coperating with said insulating means for restraining lateral movement of said supporting means with respect to said liner.

` JAMES H. DEVINE. 

